September 19, 2011
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Should Homeless People Work for Their Keep?
A homeless shelter is thinking of having homeless people help out by working for the right to stay at the homeless shelter.
The city pays $100,000 a year to help the shelter and it also pays for $700,000 in repairs like plumbing and roofing and other areas. So some people believe they should just have the homeless people help out by putting them to work. Here is the link: Link
I have always felt we should make people work for a handout. The government spent $144 billion for unemployment last year. Here is the link: Link
So the government should put those people to work. If you want unemployment, you should work for it. If you want food stamps, you can help clean up the garbage on the side of the streets. I am sure we could use a few people to help build roads. If you want free health care provided by the government, maybe you can paint a government office building.
People would probably be able to suddenly find a job if they had to work full time for the handouts.
Should the homeless people work for their keep?
Comments (104)
Hmmm… making people actually earn something? Capitol idea!
would they earn some money, too? I think that would be good, then they could have a temporary place to stay and a few bucks, it wouldn’t be much but it’s a start!
I think it would be a good idea to get them to do something.Problem is,it becomes a liability getting them to do something they have know idea what to do and they get hurt or hurt someone,then you have a bigger mess than before.It’s a big problem no doubt
I think they should work if they are able to.
@raspberryjade - The whole idea is getting them to do some work for the money they are already being given,not give them more money…of course if they got good at doing a certain trade they could actually get a real job doing that. Who knows
Yes, they should work if we are to be simplistic. There’s so many reasons why in today’s ligation society it might not work so easy. I wonder how the old FDR work programs worked. But, yeah work would be good.
Maybe, if possible. But a lot of people that are homeless aren’t homeless just because they can’t find a job, they’re homeless because they have a lot of other issues going on at the same time – mental illness, various forms of other illnesses and stuff that mean that they can’t function in the real world – that’s why they’re homeless. Having them help out at the shelter might not be a bad idea, if they’re capable of it, but I don’t think it should be a requirement because if they’re not qualified, they’ll just end up making the situation worse.
I haven’t been homeless all that long, but finding work was the problem. If I could have found work, I wouldn’t have lost my place. Granted I’ve never stayed in a shelter and took up a life of travel as a result of my lack of residence. Ironically, I’ve been regularly employed since hitting the road doing odd jobs. But as anyone who works 8 hours a day knows, it makes it hard to find other work when you’re working the hours they’re interviewing. But the idea of linking job openings and homeless shelters seems like a good one. How about anyone staying at a shelter has to apply to all the jobs the shelter has on record, or at least so many each day, and that will earn them their keep, or that and a couple hours helping out around the shelter. Then, once they find a job, they can stay until they can find a new place.
just a few thought… ^_^
They do this in Singapore, where I believe they send such people sweeping streets. Good? Bad? I don’t know, but I have heard they have very clean streets.
It doesn’t sound unreasonable.
Not necessarily a bad idea. But, keep in mind, if someone is working full-time and is on food stamps, when would they have time to work extra hours? 40+ hours a week is a lot to work, now add more on top of that. But yes, if they are unemployed, it’s not a bad idea to make them earn something!
I agree with @leaflesstree. Many homeless people actually have mental illnesses and aren’t capable of functioning well in normal society. Our mental illness care centers suck – and THAT’S what needs to improve.
People who are able to work, should work. Even if it’s at the shelter. Nuff said.
Should rich people work for their keep? I know many homeless people who work in my city. They push big carts of empty bottles that they sell at the depot. This can represents hours of work in a day. We don’t “make” people work. That sounds like forcing people. And that is no good.
Some people would still have trouble…like when your skills are obsolete in your area or there just isn’t anything available.
Overall, I don’t see this as a bad idea. Unless it would keep them from finding a job. I really liked the program my husband was a part of while we were homeless last year. It required you to spend at minimum 25 hours a week looking for work, submitting resumes, going to interviews, etc. They had a log sheet for you to track everything and kept you accountable. I thought it was a great program. I wish there were more like them across the country.
Sounds like a nightmare. Many homeless people are also mentally ill, too.
This is already being done in some places, and I think that you have to take people on a case-by-case basis, but that overall it is a good idea to have people help out where they are staying. I think of a hostel sort of situation where people typically help out a lot!
Tell me how a family receiving food stamps is supposed to find the time to do community service when they’re already holding down a job and raising their children. Also, many of the homeless are mentally ill. How are they supposed to work? And who is going to be liable in case something happens while they’re working?
Unemployment is NOT a handout. The people receiving it worked long and hard to get it. It’s not the same as a disability check or a welfare check, which is also NOT a handout. Most states require you to have some sort of income before they’ll give you money.
This is an assholish idea, and you well know it.
Sure they could work. Painting over graffiti and picking up trash isn’t too much to ask for.
The Salvation Army already sort of does that. They make them clean the place up and such.
But i think its a grand idea. I can’t imagine who would be against it…
I would love to work for money.
I would love to work to stay in those shelters.
I love $$. Uh oh, I guess I’ve broke the 1st commandment already.
too bad money is what gets you through life, not prayers.
… did I go off topic again?
I was homeless for 11 and 1/2 months last year…when I was able to stay at someones house I worked just for the right to sleep there…there are no homeless shelters in El Dorado County for women so for the most part I stayed in my car AKA mobile home AKA Elwood the cat’s palace…it is not something that I would reccommend but when it happens it happens quickly…and to show that I appriacated where I was when I got to sleep inside I worked around the house or yard…it felt right and good…so yes they should work to sleep in a shelter…it is their tempary home and they should respect it not treat it like it was a handout…smile
Able bodied homeless persons (as with other aid recipients) who can reasonably work should be made to work, for a modest paycheck and/or shelter. People need help to get back on their feet, this would be a great place to start. If I were a person at a business who made hiring decisions, I would definitely look at person who at least worked part time than a person who doesn’t have work experience, or have not worked in a very long time.
I kinda like this guys plan here.
Sure, if they are able to.
Make them work. I honestly don’t give a shit about the homeless. We need food so grind them up and give me a burger. I know people working 3 jobs, elbeit all part-time because they are not hiring full-time, and they can’t find one job? Give me a break. I’m fed up with people just sitting back and having the government take care of them, while we pay taxes for them to stay lazy. Do they have it tough? Yeah, but they have a choice of working hard or hardly working. Of Chris Gardner could do it, why can’t other. Oh yeah they are lazy. Make them work for the food and lodging or make them work for money to buy their food and lodging there. They’re the weakest link in this nation and what holds us down; not just the homeless but the lazy people that choose to not work or don’t try hard enough to find work. I mean the government is paying for you to go back to school to get a better job, but even that people are overlooking because it is easier to get on foodstamps than it is to actual go back to school. This country makes me sick sometimes. Then Obama goes considering to tax the millionaires in the nation. I am not rich myself, but at least those millionaires worked hard to get to where they are. Ignore the occaional Maddoff and we have hard working Americans making something of themselves; and we want to tax them for the hard work they put into it. Don’t tax more, spend less.
Skatopia has a rule where in order to stay and enjoy the facility, you have to help out. Works for them, why not the rest of the world.
Giving someone work, that they can do, is a great way to boost their ego and self-esteem. Gives a sense of being accepted and having importance. Something many long term homeless could in fact use, especially the mentally ill.
The UK are currently adopting that mindset for the long term unemployed. It’s called the work programme and basically means slave labour to those who cannot find jobs under the UK government’s decimation of British industries. Homeless people working for their keep? Hell no, give assistance where necessary.These people have no homes, make the druggies work…make the alcoholics work…make the single, black mothers who pop babies out of their wombs like children make pop tarts fly out of the toaster work…make the lazy assed men who father these babies willy nilly and don’t contribute a penny to the children’s welfare work…but homeless, no way they have enough on their plate. Charity begins at home and if we can’t help the weakest in society were fucked
I agree with you 100%.
For the capable ones, they should do some work!
For the capable ones, they should do some work!
I really like and support this idea.
Dogs bark…Cows give milk…men work. Self respect and creativity is as necessary as bed and breakfast.
I think they should work for their shelter in the sense that they should help take care of the shelter, picking it up, etc. I used to work for a mental health facility, where the homeless and mentally ill were able to come spend the day, and they’d plan activities (field trips I suppose) for them to do… in return for them to be off the streets for the day, they were required to sign up for duties where they had to clean or help serve food…. why couldn’t shelters do something like that?
In Texas we make them work for their stay and also we kick them out with a sack lunch in the morning. I am expected to do chores at my home and so is hubby so I don’t see anything wrong with it.
hey, my brother was homeless and they have rules like no smoking and a curfew and his girlfriend would go with him on the streets cause of him not wanting to follow the rules and it was sad cause she had 2 little boys,too.
If you are physically and mentally capable of working, you should work. I have learned people do not really appreciate anything they get at no cost to them.
Read it all, b4 you comment!! Let me put it to you this way….. I personally have had to stay at the local homeless shelter…. It is a clean place, and a secure place, barring that you should leave your things out to be stolen. It is a common room, that after evening meal time, the tables are used to divide the room, male side and female side. There is a smoke hole area in the middle of the building, both have access to. There is a security point, w/guard and staff screening all entry. You have to have a T.B. check within 3 days, if you stay long term. These same health personnel certify and with a counselor, help the disabled, invalided and other helpless with different problems. There is a van/buss setup to get you to appts. of all kinds, during the day, telephone landlines to use….. Cleanup is done by the tenants, by volunteer, before the evening crowd is allowed in. No lockers! You just keep your ‘stuff’ close or with a ‘friend’ you can trust. There are many people that are in a similar situation who will reliably watchover your things, as you so in return. There is a morning wakeup available, although reveille is at 6 a.m., if you have a job you’re trying to get out to, to help those homeless trying to make better!! Now all that being said, there are many perfectly able bodies among the crowd that can work, but quite frankly mooch off others and the system. If you have a gov’t check, they request abut do not force you to let them help you regulate your money. Work to help support the center? Why the hell not? Emphasis on the bodies that can but don’t work. Do I need to explain any further? There are many such shelters all over the country, in most cities, and don’t try to tell me that this particular shelter is unique in its crowd of tenants, or you’re very naive. Peace!! Tag!
Euthanize them.
How many times do I have to telk nazi america I want to die.
Because you have refused to obey me, I shall pray for russia, china, and all the enemies of the US, to harm, harm, injure. I have told you that everyday is hell for me. More tornadoes, more hurricanes, more earthquakes, more car accidents, ect ect.
My wrath is powerful. Hahahaha, where are the terrorists? Where is the bloodshed? Oh lord, how long must I suffer, and not see vengeance? Death to the human race
@the_rocking_of_socks - Food stamps, unemployment, etc…I can see where it’s not the same. However, what about those that are homeless (sans those with serious mental health issues)? Don’t you think that if the government provides them with food, clothing and shelter that there should be a little work done in order to help keep those costs low and to promote the continuance of such things? Cleaning the facilities, handing out food at mealtime, doing laundry or stocking shelves doesn’t seem like too much to ask. I doubt many of them would even mind helping.
Yes please make the government make more jobs!!! Then we can work for everything we need.
I think they should be made to work. It`s the real world. Nothing is free. The only exception I would add to this are those who are affected with severe mental illness. A lot of homeless people are affected by it, and aren’t receiving adequate treatment. I would support a treatment/work plan, though.
Yes, of course they should work. Granted, those who are mentally disturbed should not be allowed to do certain jobs, like cooking on a hot stove. I am grateful for the systems that can help those who are down on their luck. I think that a little gratitude should also be shown by those same individuals in the form of working at the shelter they use. Wiping tables, stocking shelves, sweeping, doing laundry, etc are easy jobs that could be done in a very short amount of time. How is that a bad thing?
As for those who are on welfare, use food stamps, are on disability and other such government issued handouts…that is difficult. It truly is a broken system and a whole other discussion.
As long as they are psychologically sane, yes, have them help out. If they do extra work, they are eligible for extra food stamps, for luxury items, or what-not.
If they are not sane, as many homeless people are (unfortunately a lot of them have mild to severe mental problems, and not a cent to their name to help them with medication, some are beyond medication, I was once approached by a guy with PTSD because of the gulf war, that was frightening for me, and I wasn’t even re-living it!), they need the help. And not the “WHO’S GONNA PAY FOR THEIR MEDS/HOSPITAL STAY” horseshit.
@nimbusthedragon - totally agree!!!! I can’t imagine how much better off these poor people would be if they had medication to help their mental illnesses. They could end up being as normal (normal, lol) as you and I! I only wish for something like that — then they could have their life back.
This is superficially brilliant, but difficult to actually actualize. Many people are homeless because they have a severe mental illness. So it’s not like these people are making a rational decision to not contribute to society. This type of program could potentially further penalize people for being mentally handicapped.
If I was homeless and staying in a shelter, I’d WANT to see how I could help out! And I’d be looking for work much as I’m doing now. Fortunately, I save well and am prepared, so no worries on the home front.
I have no problem with this plan, it makes sense and could, potentially, save us the taxpayers money! I think Martha Stewart would call that, “a good thing.”
Those able bodied and able (and stable) minded would be great for sustainability projects that would eventually eliminate the need for funding.
Should not all homeless people simply be “euthanized” (i.e. shot dead)?…the state could use their organs for more productive people. The productivity to increase certain numbers of your beloved country or company is the greatest value, no?
@GodlessLiberal - very superficially…yeah.
THEY TIRRKK ERRR JERRRRBS!
But seriously, we already pay non homeless non unemployed people to do those kind of things. Giving those jobs to the people who stay in the shelters would be taking away the jobs from someone who already does them. Cleaning and the sort are easy enough, but taking care of plumbing and building roads is something that people would actually have to be trained and certified for, which would require some kind of free program (funded by the government) to teach people these skills. Which is kind of similar to something we already have – college and trade schools, which people pay to go to so they can get trained and then make money for working for the government. It is a great idea until we lose more jobs/pay more money and everyone blames Obama.
I think all able people should have to work in some way to earn government handouts. Of course not all people can do the same kind of work so each person should do what they can do. I hate seeing people sit on their butt and use the system.
Well it’s their shelter so they can certainly do what they want to do. Add to that it’s also a very Republican thing to do. And will keep away a lot of those trashy homeless people from dirtying up their nice clean shelter.
I lived in Calgary (Canada) for several years, and for 2 of those years I volunteered at the Mustard Seed, a homeless shelter.
Less then 20% of the homeless there were unemployed. Many of them simply could not find, or afford a place to rent in the city. I got to know many people there, and several guys who worked together for a roofer making good money, but when rental availability is less then 2% its crazy hard to find a place to live.
I think people should be a little less judgmental about this issue.
If a person is well & able to do so, I believe they should help out where ever they are staying. If you were homeless & had to stay with a friend or even move back in with family, would you sit around the house & expect them to take care of you without reciprocating in some way? It’s true, there are those who have illnesses that could prevent their working, but even many of them are capable of doing small things that would help the shelter & make them feel better as a human being. It’s an interesting discussion.
@Rickalicious… I read the website you recommended & was very impressed… it had an additional link with even more information… Sounds like this man has a idea that is working & working well… If anybody is interested here’s the additional link… http://www.foodonfoot.org/
@ItIsAllGravy - Don’t you mean ‘capital’
?
Only the ignorant would think this is a valid question. If someone has worked with the homeless, they would know that there are homeless people doing all kinds of jobs already in a homeless shelter. They are cooking meals, and cleaning, and doing other things. However city zoning laws require that only licensed electricians or plumbers can do those jobs.
If anyone is familiar with homeless shelters, they know that they have more people willing to work than they have available position.
Your cosmopolitan prejudices are showing.
@the_rocking_of_socks – I think its a sad idea to make people work for pennies just to eat or have a place to sleep. I Think rehabilitate the person if possible. While doing that give assistance to help get them on there feet.
Make sure they are current with all health concerns to be able to stay productive. Medical, vision, dental should be offered at least once a year to all for free to keep up.
Transportation is another task. A lot of jobs won’t even hire people cause of lack of transportation. I think large companies should offer ride shares with a deduction out of pay for rural area living an jobs in hard to commute areas. It’s a tick for tack and things will get in the ball if its thought out right!
The assumption of this blog is that homeless people don’t want to work and just want free shelter. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
Homeless people who are mentally healthy would probably give their back teeth for the chance to have a roof over their heads and at least two meals a day. If someone said, “Hey pal, you can come in out of the rain and the noise of the highway every night if you wash the toilets here,” then that would be almost ideal. I have seen homeless people dance, sing, beg, and bang buckets to get enough money to eat- let alone get enough money for a bed for the night. Working for shelter (for those who can work. For the homeless who cannot work for reason of mental illness or disability or being underage (yes, there are homeless children) free shelter should still be allowable) would be ideal. The only downside would be that it would take away the falsehood of the idle poor that Republicans so dearly treasure.
“If you want unemployment, you should work for it.”
Work for money? Like, … employment? Then I wouldn’t unemployed, pal!
Wow, this is a really stupid blog entry.
@curiousdwk - Yeah, it’s sad that the ignorent and intelligent alike have the same amount of votes each. You make an excellent point. The reality of poverty is so much different than the fantasy of idle drug-abusers conjured up by right-wing politicians.
“ If you want free health care provided by the government, maybe you can paint a government office building.”
Oh hell yeah! Just paint a building and get free health care for the rest of my life instead of having my salary gutted by expensive premiums month after month! You are a policy GENIUS! You should go to Washington and make people listen to you!
On the plus side it is nice to see how many intelligent commentators are here. I do so hope that those who are prone to gross over-generalization in the name of slandering the poor are outnumbered in our society.
You can be homeless and be employed. You can be homeless and be under the legal working age. Are you saying, if someone stays at this shelter they must do this work? Because that seems unfair to people who already work or can’t work. If you pay them wages, they’re government employees. People are already worried about the national debt as it is, this will only make it worse. If it’s basically a job that you get automatically for being homeless, you aren’t encouraging people to get another job or get out of the shelter. A temporary solution just became a permanent problem.
If the government workers who are supposed to maintain public roads and buildings aren’t doing a good enough job, then maybe the government should spend its money improving those departments instead of paying homeless people to do jobs that already exist. That makes the city better, which brings in investors. (Who wants to start a company in a crappy city? Who wants to form a new branch in a crappy city?) Not saying it’s the best system, but it’s the system we live in. To ignore that only creates more problems.
I recently made the choice to help some “friends” who had no place to stay by letting them stay with me in my house with my family. Worst decision, hands down bar none, that I ever made in my life. At this point I’m just hoping we can recover some semblance of a normal life where we huddle up and hope we will eventually recover from the damage they inflicted on us. The lesson I learned is that if even their own mother won’t let them stay in her house, there’s a reason for that, and the reason is somewhere in the neighborhood with they betrayed her, stole from her and physically and legally threatened her one time more than she was willing to tolerate. The question is not whether homeless people should be asked to work for their keep but rather whether they should be chased at gun point from my property with or without being given an opportunity to explain why they’re there.
There’s nothing new about that. And yes, they should as long as they aren’t making them do things that strips them of their dignity. It gives them job skills.
I think they should help out and earn their keep somehow, whatever ‘somewhow’ is. On the other hand, if some (And I stress some, NOT all) of those dead beats were to earn their keep for medicaid and food stamps, then they wouldn’t be able to keep their luxury cars.
What makes you say they don’t work? I don’t follow you. When I volunteered in the shelter, most of the (non-mentally ill) residents had a job. Sometimes two.
The concept isn’t novel. The problem is that it can easily go south, as
with the Victorian era Work Houses and Debtors’ Prisons. That’s why I’d be cautious.
@olopocram2 - You make a good point. Harsh, but true.
makes sense to me
I think if you are going to do something like that you should start with welfare and then work your way down to homeless.
@oneshotblogger@momaroo - I’ve just got to say, well said!
Handouts are horrible, I think having people work for their stay is a great idea, it is fair for both parties, there is nothing more damaging to someones self worth then feeling like they need to be taken care of.
I think so
I think so but I also think that companies should not charge jobseekers $4.50 for applying for jobs online….that is sickening and exploiting poverty.
I don’t think there is anything wrong with having people help out around the shelter, or do some basic clean up jobs. Hard labor might be out of the question, as some homeless people have health issues. I think they should help out as they are able. Its kind of a socialist idea, but it works.
Only if they are mentally capable of doing so. A large majority of people that are homeless are because they do not have the cognitive functions of the ‘average’ person. However, many would say there are far more homeless who are essentially accepting the handout because it is the path of least resistance. Having them earn their keep is an excellent idea. There needs to be some kind of filter that can help place people in appropriate situations…. Who wants to have that job? Would their cover letter read: Humble enforcer seeks job placement supervisor position for the State of (insert state here)….
@babybug329 - Agreed!
They could clean, cook, do landscaping, etc… around the shelter. Maybe they could get a certain amount a week including lodging?
@Carpus06 - wow really? “make the single, black women…” as if single women of all races aren’t “popping out children like poptarts”. Fuck you racist fuck.
“So the government should put those people to work. If you want
unemployment, you should work for it. If you want food stamps, you can
help clean up the garbage on the side of the streets. I am sure we
could use a few people to help build roads. If you want free health
care provided by the government, maybe you can paint a government office
building.”
What if the person was def, blind, and paralyzed….
@FuntimeswithGoldie - I’ll ask again: Just who is supposed to be responsible for any accidents that may occur? Homeless shelters are a CHARITY ~ that’s why they’re free.
@RealityDreams - there is also a large group of sane veterans who are homeless. though it’s illegal to discriminate against reservists, guard members, or combat veterans, it happens daily.
@GreenTeaReverie -I guess I do!
@the_rocking_of_socks - I don’t know, who is responsible if someone slips and falls in a shower in a homeless shelter? There have already been a couple of lawsuits for that…shelters can be sued now for liability accidents, so what’s the difference?
I think there are certain things (cleaning up, caring for the linens, helping in the food handout line, etc) that they can & should help out with to reduce the upkeep costs of the place. Most definitely.
I know that in shelters for abused families that they require the families there to help out with chores around the place. I think it is good for people to work to help maintain the place they live. I work to maintain my home (as do my children & husband), so why not homeless people too? It should be something that is within their physical & mental ability to do. If they obtain a paying job at some point, then of course they won’t be required to help AS much.
At least from my limited knowledge, this is my opinion.
@FuntimeswithGoldie - The difference is that those accidents are probably far and few between. By requiring more people to do more things around the shelter, the greater the chances are of someone hurting themselves, possibly seriously. It’s just more money that either the shelter or the government will have to shell out to cover medical expenses on top of the already high costs of maintaining a shelter.
@the_rocking_of_socks - @the_rocking_of_socks - Non-profit shelters are required by law to have liability insurance anyway. Do you honestly think that putting a broom in someone’s hand is going to up the chances that they will get hurt with it, as opposed to how many people could get hurt in a shower? Should the shower facilities be removed because of how many people could get hurt in them?
Do you think that folding sheets for the beds will honestly result in injury? Or taking the trash out of a trash can is really an issue? What is being suggested are small, easy tasks. Nothing arduous or prolonged. How is it a bad thing to give back to the organization that is taking care of you?
@nidan - thanks
@BenelliMan - Very good point. Would it be wrong to assume that men and women who have been in the service would feel better about painting a government building or any of the examples Dan pointed out for a paycheck verses just being handed the money. Anyone who values hard work for their keep would be game for the idea of the government creating jobs for those who need assistance. I would guess that another reason the system is the way it functions is that people stop trying to look outside the box. They take a complacent stance that “this is the way it has always been” or if it ain’t broke don’t fix it…. yet it is broke but how do we fix it? Regardless of what happens people will resist change; it’s what we have always done.
I think the homeless people should be encouraged to help with the upkeep of the shelter, the administration of the food, etc. I like how that idea promotes sort of communalist-cooperative sort of ideals, and allows them to form healthier relationships with other homeless folk.
Extending the idea to all aspects of our welfare system kind of undermines the whole reason we have welfare – to either subsidize the unlivable wages of the dirt-poor without sacrificing the quality of service they provide to the rich, or to help out the middle class when they are in-between jobs. In both those respects, it does what it sets out to do quite well except during a recession (when there are no jobs to be “in-between”).
Leaving aside the fact that an extraordinarily large percentage of homeless people suffer from severe mental illness, what you’re suggesting sounds suspiciously like a massively large scale government jobs program. Surprising coming from you, really.
I don’t neccessarily think they should have to work for their room and board, but I think it should be expected of those living in homeless shelters to clean up after themselves.
I think maybe what they should do is enroll homeless people into the vastly underutilized training programs in our country, or maybe require the unemployment office to put staff on hand to help these people get real full time jobs. We need to pull all of our programs geared to the disadvantaged together so that they get people on their feet as quickly as possible.
Honestly, what homeless people need is a long-term job that can get them their own place to live and their own food on their own table. Making them plunge a toilet or paint a wall doesn’t solve their problems.
GAO actually published a document back in July of 2000 that had nothing but positive things to say about this program. With the exception of New York, less than 50% of the participants actually participated in the community service programs (pg14). If you did participate in the community service programs, some recipents received more money than the grant amount. Also, the work wasn’t exclusively aimed at picking up trash on the side of the road. Some of the states that have the work in exchange for benefits program were aimed at those who were on welfare because they didn’t have much job related experience (pg9). During the course of their working, some of the welfare recipients actually ended up employed by the grant site they were doing work for (pg16). If anything we should be encouraging these types of programs run by Massachusetts and Oregon because they help lower unemployment, ease people off of benefits, and help them become financially dependent from the state.
Definitely a win-win policy for tax payers and for welfare recipients alike.
ABSOLUTELY, yes – yes – yes. Even if it’s picking up litter on the streets.
I imagine most homeless people would actually LIKE working. I’m sure they don’t actually want to be homeless. So, I see this as a good idea. Maybe they will be able to help more people that way.
I think the main problem with homeless people is that they are incapable of work. What I mean by that is that 75% of homeless are diagnosed schizophrenic. The better thing to do would be to rehabilitate in all areas, but most have such a twisted logic, they won’t accept the help. Trust me when I say that if you made a unmedicated schizophrenic work for his keep, he would just go live under a bridge. It’s not laziness, it’s part of the illness. They spend most of their lives entertaining their own head. They live in their own little world, when not medicated. Eventually they run out of options for living alone, and end up on the streets. Most of them end up like that because they are so reclusive. I agree that people should work for food stamps. But most people on food stamps do have full time jobs, they just still can’t afford to feed their families., because that is the nation we live in. In order to even get food stamps you have to have a job or be disabled. And obviously if you’re disabled then you’ve been proven not to be capable of work.
yes, because people become permanently disabled and social outcasts when they don’t have work.
When I walk around, I get disoriented as to where I am or what i’m doing. My memory is terrible. The only thing I can do is type. The government would have to give me a typing job. I’m very skilled in it. I’m very fast and make few errors.
The problem with doing this to people, however, is that it’ll create a caste of slaves. You’ll also put them in areas where they’ll breed, so you’ll get mentally ill kids.
I am constantly punished by elites. Now that they know that they’ll never succeed, they’ll quit.
@FallingSafely - after all the psychotronic people finished me, I’ve been declared unemployable, but I could handle an office job. I can file, print, type. I probably couldn’t answer the phone.
The government should automatically give us jobs based off of tests. Most of the problems I have now is discrimination.
As far as the bridge people go, they could be janitors. Even when I was in the throw of psychosis like before they edited me, I could focus on simple tasks.
Everyone who is able should work for their keep.
There’s nothing wrong with that, provided:
a) They don’t lessen the amount of resting quarters available.
b) They are compensated fairly. For what little a shelter provides, you can’t ask much work from a person per day, or per week for that matter. It’ll only be fair if a certain amount of food and cash is provided, as well. Will that happen? I bet not.
I see nothing wrong with this, except in the case of the disabled. The problem that I see is when people suggest paying the homeless. This would just add extra cost, especially when you factor training into the equation. The skills gained would help with getting a future job though. Society would also be nicer. Maybe American wouldn’t be blamed for its declining infrastructure as much.
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